Timo

Hallo all,

I am discussing the build up of a new Cyclo-Cross bike with my dealer. The bike is ready, except for the gears. As the bike is intended to be used mainly in Holland (flat, exept for some very short climbs) I decided to go for one 46t blade in front and a nine-speed 11 to 23 cassette in the rear.

This gives me, using Michelin cyclocross sprint tires:

46/11x2.16= 9.04 meters max.
24/23x2.16= 4.32 meters min.

I figure that enough. Any comments?

Regards,
Timo

Rich

Hi Timo,

The science stuff scares me to tell you the truth...I just get out there and ride!

Rich

MichaelW

Single chainrings are a good idea on the flat.

With single chainrings, you need a front derailleur to keep the chain on, unless you use those chain-protectors made by TA.

Single chainrings dont need all those cut-out shapes and pins for shifting the chain, and can be wider so they last longer.

You have to find a brake lever which matches the right hand Ergo-lever/STi lever in size, or pay for gear shifting which you dont use. Or use a bar-end shifter for the gears.

Timo

Thanks for the advise, but I worked out the components allready.

I use a similar combination on my road bike:
- Shimano RX100 brake lever left;
- Shimano Ultegra STI brake lever right;
- Shimano RX100 shifter on the down tube;
- Shimano Ultegra 9-speed rear derailleur;
- Shimano Ultegra 2-speed front derailleur.

I know it looks a bit like a gimmick, but I like it. It reduced a bit of weight and its something I copied from Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zulle.

Now for my cyclo-cross bike. At first I was thinking about a mix of Shimano 105 and LX components. Now that I checked my bank account and the possibilities, I will go a bit more exotic:
- Campagnolo Record carbon lever left (from the Triathlon range). This is a non-Ergopower lever, intended for use in combination with bar-end shifters on time trial bikes;
- Campagnolo Record Ergopower carbon lever right;
- Carbon cranks with a Campagnolo 46t blade (from their Pista range). This blade is made for fixed gear track bikes;
- Campagnolo Record rear derailleur;
- Campagnolo Record 11 to 23t cassette.

The chain will stay in place. Richard Groenendaal uses just one front blade on his bike and this works out just fine. As far as I know he does not use a chain-protector. As his ride is Dura-Ace equipped, he uses a non-STI Dura-Ace lever for his front brake.

Regards,
Timo

Rich

Sounds like a nice mix of components Timo.

Any pictures of the bike.

Rich

Timo

Thanks Rich,

The road bike you mean? Because the Record equipped cycly-cross bike is not build yet.

I'll try to post a pic of the road bike asap.

Cheers,
Timo

Rich

Cheers Timo..

Looking forward to seeing both bikes...

Rich

Timo

Okay, I'll make some photos of the roadbike, followed by some of the cross bike once its build.

For the moment, here's the full lay-out of the road bike I ride on a daily basis:

- Bianchi 59cm Alu frame (celeste, offcourse and not "compact")
- Time carbon fibre fork (curved)
- Chris King ahead set (gold)
- ITM Big One (black, 120mm) stem (very stiff. I like it)
- ITM Millenium bar (42cm)
- Shimano Ultegra 9-speed STI lever/shifter (right)
- Shimano RX100 lever (left)
- Shimano RX100 shifter (downtube)
- Shimano Ultegra front derailleur
- Shimano Ultegra Crankset, 53x39t, 172,5mm
- Shimano Ultegra bottom bracket
- Look PP286 pedals, Bianchi celeste
- Shimano Ultegra Chain
- Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur
- Shimano Ultegra breaks
- Selcof seatpost
- Selle Italia Flite (nine years old and worn, but I can't get used to a new saddle)
- Elite bottle cages (celeste)
- Chris King Hubs (gold), 32 spokes
- Mavic Open Pro rims
- DT spokes
- Shimano Ultegra cassette 12 to 25t
- Michelin Axial Pro tires (for performance and color )

Its a mean climbing machine

I am about to add a set of Mavic Cosmic Carbone wheels for the flat Dutch roads. Since I bought this bike in 1998 I gained quite some weight and I am not much of a climber anymore But I started training again, so I hope I'll be back in business soon.

I can also post the full lay-out of the planned cross bike I you want.

Cheers,
Timo

Rich

Sounds like a nice bike Timo...

Cheers for the info

Rich